Celtic MP3s Music MagazineThe Celtic MP3s Music Magazine is a free monthly Celtic music magazine featuring free music downloads of Celtic, Scottish, Irish music from around the world. Here, you will find free music downloads from independent Celtic artists. Some MP3s are time sensitive. So download them now. All of the latest MP3s are available for at least a month. As always, if enjoy the music, please help the artist out and buy their CD. Serving Celtic music fans since 2000! Don't just download. Celtic Fusion Festival 2004, Co.Down
This years exciting line-up for the Northern Ireland "Celtic Fusion Festival" is a mix of traditional and contemporary cool. World class songs, singers and musicians will come together between the 4-15th August 2004 in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, to present the very best of the international strands of celtic connections music.
The programme which will start on the 4th of August will run through until the 15th with a renewed depth of arts offerings including for the first time the verbal, visual and performing arts. The programme will feature small intimate gigs, workshops, sessions and the big festival stage in the outstanding beautiful Mountains of Mourne, Irelands, and newest National Park designate. The quality of the music and place promises an experience for music lovers not to be missed. The festival now in its third year draws visitors from across the globe to a festival unique in style and character. Main event tickets go on sale next week. Don McLean - legendary singer/songwriter Salsa Celtica - salsa celtic latin adventure Lunasa - classic award winning band Dougie Maclean - (renowned Scottish singer songwriter) The Eleanor McEvoy Band - uptempo celts The Finlay McDonald Band - contemporary bagpipes Saltfishforty - all the way from the Orkneys At First Light - O'Connor, McGoldrick, McSherry et al Nollaig Casey and Arty McGlynn - traditional class Flook - cool flutes and jaw dropping bodran Arcanadh - exciting new debut Teine - young female group from Lewis Other artists are still to be confirmed and the pub sessions and workshops will compliment the mainstream programme. In addition to this programme there will be a number of other arts events including the premiere of Folks, a photographic record of some of the nationally and locally famous musicians, A preview of a new film by a Scottish independent film maker about the life and works of Robert Burns, Muir-Traigh Ebb a visual arts exhibition from Skye, Poets and Writers, a BBC exhibition featuring Irish authors and poets and Paddy on the Road, Dubblejoints Christy Moore Story. Information: Celtic Fusion Festival website Tickets from Ticketmaster.ie Tickets/accommodation enquiries, Tel:+0044 (0) 28 44 612233 +44 (0) 28 437 22222 outside NI drop 0 Labels: music_news_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Tuesday, July 27, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Techno Bagpipe Music
by Marc Gunn
Artist: Mark Saul and his techno bagpipe music Album: Mixolydian Year: 2004 When I got Mark Saul's CD, Mixolydian in the mail, I didn't jump to listen to it. I saw something about progressive bagpipes, and it didn't really appeal to me. But last week, I was cleaning my house when I thought I should give it a try. I figured bagpipe music would be good for sparking a wee bit o'energy. Whoa! Was I surprised. Mark Saul doesn't do a "wee bit", he goes all the way. I've heard techno bagpipe music before. It's usually done by some Celtic band that's trying to sound cool. Rarely is it by someone who KNOWS how to write electronic music. Mark does a brilliant job opening it up with a beautiful "E minor Theme" that also closes the album. Then he merges electric guitar with bagpipes, fiddle, banjo, and all behind some thumping, techno drum loops creating an electro dance CD with tasty bagpipe goodness. Each track shines with it's own spark of brilliance. To quote track 3, "Forget the Golden Rules" or rather, the rules in general. Mixolydian might not have you doing traditional Scottish dance, but the next time you go to a night club, you'll be begging the DJ to spin some bagpipes! Find out more about Mark Saul and his techno bagpipe music on his website. Labels: cd_review_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, July 26, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Best Celtic Album Music Award Nominees for 2004
Just Plain Folks Songwriting & Musician Network just released the nominees for Best Album of 2004. They albums are divided up into Best Celtic Album and Best Instrumental Celtic Album. Here are the nominees:
Celtic Album Nominees Celtic Crescent by Emerald Rose, GA Knickers Down, Bottoms Up by Na'Bodach, NJ Lager Than Life by The Poxy Boggards, CA Live at The Palace Theatre by Seven Nations, FL Together in the End by Shilelagh Law, NH Uninvited Guest by The Secret Commonwealth, TN Waitin' For A Ride by Darby O'Gill, OR Wander This World by Guarneri Underground, WA Celtic Instrumental Album Nominees Clare on the Moors by Tintangel, CA Free Time by Straight Furrow, UK Highlands and Islands vol one:Loch Shiel by Various Artists, UK Riding Towards Life by Evergreen, CA Roaming by Jeremy Kittel, MI Scottish Inheritance by Bonnie Rideout, VA Shame The Devil by Turlach Boylan, TX Shines Like Silver by Cady Finlayson, NY You can see the complete list of 2004 Just Plain Folks Album Nominees on their website. Labels: music_news_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, July 23, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! "New York Town" by Black 47
by Marc Gunn
Artist: Black 47 Album: "New York Town" Year: 2004 Black 47 really makes me adore Celtic music! I'm listening to their latest CD, New York Town. It's tearing at my heart strings. I don't know whether I should smile and rock on with Black 47's amazing style of Celtic Rock that fuses traditional Irish instrumentation with horns and the hipper sounds of rock music, or should cry from the troubles endured by Irish immigrants to the United States. I am doing both, because New York Town might not sound like trad Irish music with a drum set and horns, but it captures the Irish American mentality better than 90% of the contemporary Celtic albums I've heard. The album begins with probably the most poignant song about Irish immigration, "San Patricio Brigade." In 1846, thousands of Irish immigrants joined the US Army to invade Mexico. The Anglo-Protestant officers treated them horribly. Add to this their doubts about fighting a Catholic country, hundreds of Irish desserted and signed on with the Mexican army. They were led by John Riley who formed the St Patrick's Batallion, also known as the San Patricio Brigade. And it takes someone like Larry Kirwan, Black 47's masterful Irish singer-songwriter, to really point out the tragedies endured. And that's just the beginning of the CD. Every song is emotionally packed full of Irish stories that will really make you think. Larry Kirwan is not afraid to write and sing about the social issues endured by the Irish and of people in general, like New York Town which confronts 9/11 with visual acuity. Black 47 also shows a reprise of a song from their first album, "Livin' In America - 11 Years On". I'll tell ye, I kinda glossed over it the first time I heard it on their self-titled CD, Black 47. I just can't do it here. It's probably one of my favorite songs, and it makes me want to weep. It could've been written a hundred years ago, and the story would still the same. Just as powerful and in some cases, it's even more touching. New York Town also hosts a number of guest singers from Eileen Ivers on "San Patrico Brigade" to Christine Ohlman on "Blood Wedding". Mary Courtney does a a brilliant job of becoming a part of the story on "Livin' In America - 11 Years On". Roseanne Cash join Larry on "Fiona's Song" which is a another gripping story of lovers parted. New York Town is the story of the Irish American immigrant, filled with all the gorgeous melancholy that haunts the passionate and makes you want to sing, dance, and cry over a pint of the human experience. Labels: cd_review_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, July 22, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Irish Song Lyrics and Celtic Music Inspiration
by Marc Gunn
I've started putting together a new website of Irish Songs & Lyrics starting with they lyrics from my Celtic Lyrics - Scottish & Irish Folk Songs directory from The Bards website. I can't help but to snicker a wee bit. Here I'm listening to The Corries and being swamped with inspiration. Since I first started my Celtic Lyrics Directory, I've wanted to make a huge site filled with Scottish and Irish songs and lyrics and streaming MP3 audio tracks so people could listen and learn. Course, it'd also serve to help sell our Celtic folk CDs, but mostly, I just want to have THE site that people swarm to for those Scotch-Irish lyrics. Alas, there's just not enough time in the day. And I have too many projects under my belt to spend that much time with it. But as I listen to The Corries, I can't help but to feel that neurotic drive to race home and start recording song after song of lyrics. Hundreds upon hundreds of great folk songs. The definitive site out there. Ah well... Mayhaps next year when Celtic music is my full-time career, I'll make it happen. Shoot, sadly, even my Free MP3 Music Download of the Month has suffered due to laziness, fatigue, and depression. But new stuff is coming soon. After all, we're currently mixing a new live CD of mostly Irish songs along with a bunch of filk. And then there's the Scottish CD coming soon. So who knows. Mayhaps one day, I'll achieve my goal. It's a slow process, but as long as I keep listening to The Corries, The Dubliners, and all of those great Celtic folk singers, the inspiration will keep coming back. originally posted as Irish Song Lyrics and Folk Music Inspiration Labels: articles_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, July 21, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Autoharp Joins the List of Celtic Music Instruments
by Marc Gunn
Fans of this Celtic music magazine are probably familiar with a strange sound coming from my band, the Brobdingnagian Bards--the autoharp. It was invented in the late 1800s (see The True History of the Autoharp) and it's no stranger to Celtic music. The autoharp is a triangular-shaped stringed instrument that became popular in the early part of the 20th century. It's simple design and fairly quite sound made it popular with folk singers, including The Carter Family in the 40s and gained a resurgence during the Folk Revival of th 60s where Janis Joplin and Lovin Spoonful took the instrument to new levels. But it wasn't until the 70s when Bryan Bowers came along that the autoharp world was torn open and autoharpist invaded the Celtic music world. Sure, you've heard of the bouzouki, banjo, and guitar in Celtic music. They are all fairly popular imports, but the autoharp is still relatively unheard of... well, maybe not as much as you'd think anyways. I've done my best to show how it's a magnificent instrument with Scottish & Irish folk songs, but quite honestly, I don't begin to compare to some autoharper's out there who are performing Irish reels and jigs at full-speed. So I've compiled a list of autoharp CDs below that feature a variety of Celtic autoharp music. Celtic Music and the Autoharp: Mike Herr / Carolos Plumley: Gander in the Pratie Hole and Hawthorn This incredible duo combine autoharp and fiddle in a magical way, and let me tell you, the fiddle is not always the lead instrument as they knock through dozens of popular reels, jigs, and aires. Bryan Bowers: Home, Home on the Road While this album is mostly a folk album, it shows the early beginnings of Bryan Bower's five finger autoharp style tackling "Flowers of Edinburgh". I also point out this album because if you've ever heard "The Scotsman" on the radio, you probably heard Bryan Bowers. Bryan is the man who popularized Mike Cross' hilarious song about a drunken Scotsman and a blue ribbon. Karen Mueller: Autoharp Gourmet, Still Point, and Clarity Karen Mueller is the leading authority on the Celtic autoharp. So much so, she even published a book called, Celtic Autoharp where you can learn how she makes her fingers dance around the strings in order to play Celtic tunes fast. Absolutely essential for anyone interested in learning to play Celtic music on the autoharp, or for anyone who's just wanting to play autoharp music better. Autoharp Legacy If you really want to try a sampling of great autoharp music all around, then check out Autoharp Legacy. This non-profit CD set was produced in party by Bryan Bowers. It features over 50 of the greatest autoharpers worldwide. It's goal? To share autoharp music with the world. That's why you'll find it is a 3-CD set with over SIXTY songs and tunes. The styles range from folk songs, old-time country ballads, bluegrass fiddle tunes, Irish jigs, and Swedish dance tunes, to jazz standards, gospel, blues, or Latin-flavored favorites. This is a brilliant album for any autoharp enthusiasts or anyone wanting to learn more about the autoharp. If you're interested in other Celtic autoharp CDs, I've compiled a collection of CDs by contemporary autoharpists. To find out which actually perform Celtic music or a derivative, you can search through the list or just ask. I'll be happy to make some more great recommendations. Oh! Someone asked me recently. "Are there any contemporary Celtic music groups that have an autoharp?" While I haven't seen anyone use the autoharp quite like I mentioned above, probably the coolest band I've seen was The Pogues on Rum, Sodom, & the Lash. Check out "Wild Cats of Kilkenny" as one fun example. And keep your ears open. The autoharp pops up all over the place when you least expect it. Labels: articles_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, July 08, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Six Great Celtic Rock Songs, free music downloads
1. " Amazing Grace " by The Rogues
The Rogues are the Nations Premiere Pipe and Drum quartet and have earned several Grammy nominations for their incredible albums. Buy CD "Made In Texas" 2. "Toss The Feathers / The Battle Of Auchrim " by Green Man Green Man delivers traditional and contemporary Irish / Scottish/ Appalachian music, with a twist. Blending these works with techno beats, sequencers, bass and drum loops, Eastern percussion/ intervals, lush three-part harmonies, and heavy rock guitars -- the band also incorporates more traditional instrumentation such as wooden/silver flutes, tin whistle, accordion, acoustic guitar, cittern, and sitar. The result is a unique sound that is smart, fresh and exciting -- while honoring the timeless depth and beauty of traditional Celtic music. Buy CD "Green Man" 3. " ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS" by Wicked Tinkers WICKED TINKERS perform the kind of music you might have heard hundreds of years ago at a Scottish wedding, ceilidh, or around the campfire of a Highland raiding party. Since 1995 they've brought their vitality and humor to stages across America. They have been blending the emotion and power of the Great Highland Bagpipe with the pounding of raw tribal rhythms for over seven years and have recently added the haunting sound of the Bronze-Age Celtic Horn - a sound lost for over a millennium. They play the music of the Scottish Highlands, spicing it with the Celtic tunes of Ireland and the many lands graced by the Gaelic people. Touring the U.S. for most of the year, WICKED TINKERS has made friends and fans of folks from all over the world. Buy CD "Banger for Breakfast " 4. " End of the World " by The Willow Band Fresh & engaging Celtic music, beautifully played by some of the top musicians on the scene... Here are three musicians who encompass a great variety of music in the Celtic genre: a competition piper (Highland pipes, border pipes, bombarde, flutes, whistles), a top-notch fiddle player (in the Irish and Cape Breton traditions), and a virtuoso guitar player (6 string, 12 string, slide, ukulele, mandola) who has also written some of the best-loved songs in the contemporary Irish scene. Great music, engaging personalities, and an entirely fun show. Buy CD "The Willow" 5. " The Butterfly " by The Irish Experience The Irish Experience is a Blarney Phoenix, that rises up on Saint Patrick's Eve and brings bountiful cheer to all the little people at heart. The Irish Experience is a festive force, an insatiable "jig". The Irish Experience is renewed vigor. They perform Celtic and Appalachian music on traditional and electric instruments. Buy CD "The Irish Experience" 6. " Moreton Bay " by The Volunteers South Florida's only original Celtic rock band. In their electric rock'n'roll stage-show, they are a full-throttle, guitar-driven, runaway locomotive. As Miami's New Times has put it: "From their first bottle-rattling gig at Churchill's, it's been no secret that the Vols are a great party band ... Put this crew and free-flowing alcohol in a club setting and you never know what will happen next ... This is a band capable of raising the roof in the best Celtic tradition." Buy CD "The Volunteers" More Celtic rock songs can be found on The Secret World of Celtic Rock compilation CD. Labels: articles_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Saturday, July 03, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Eight Great Irish Drinking Songs, St Patrick's Day 2004
1. " The Parting Glass " by Marc Gunn
At the end of October, I went to a Celtic Reels, and event sponsored by the Gaelic League of Austin. They showed The Quiet Man and Waking Ned Divine. After the later, I couldn't help, but sing this song. And when I got home, I recorded it and decided it'd make an excellent addition to Soul of a Harper. Buy CD "Soul of a Harper" 2. "The Unicorn Song " by Brobdingnagian Bards The Brobdingnagian Bards are the number one Celtic music group online offering free Celtic music downloads. You can download an album of Celtic MP3s and then scan a list of ten albums to choose from featuring The Bards music. Also, download "Whiskey in the Jar" and "Danny Boy". Buy CD "Songs of Ireland" 3. " Fire In The Head " by Emerald Rose Emerald Rose is a high energy Celtic folk rock band that blends harmony vocals, pennywhistle, world percussion and driving guitars and bass. Their music ranges from traditional jigs and reels to original folk rock and pop songs. Emerald Rose successfully draws from Celtic myth and legend to create a unique and accessible sound. Buy CD "Fire In The Head" 4. "Whiskey Island" by Toraigh Toraigh (pronounced Tore'-ee) is a Gaelic word meaning "search" or "seek" and represents the search for great foot-stomping, toe-tapping, heart warming music in the traditions and culture of Ireland. The band consists of Mary Dennis, Bob Midden, and Tom DelGreco from Bowling Green, Jack McMahon from Toledo and Mick Gilliam from Findlay, Ohio. Other musicians from the region who have played with the group on occasion include Dave Hawkins from Cincinnati, Peg O'Callan from Columbus, Rick Nelson from Westerville, Ohio, Dave Reddick from Jenera, Ohio, Bill Reeder from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Cole Latimer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dancers from the Heinzman School in Toledo often perform with this group and those in the audience who can't resist the call are invited to clap and sing along. Buy CD "Tripping Up The Stairs" 5. " How Are Things in Glocca Mora " by Ian Gallagher Ian Gallagher is a performer equally at home singing traditional Irish folk tunes and contemporary music including blues, rock, jazz, country and soul. Though his music is firmly based in Irish tradition, Gallagher is interested in performing all kinds of music. Ian Gallagher has heart and soul deeply rooted in Irish tradition and talent as eclectic and bright as tomorrow. Buy CD "My Ireland" 6. " Annochie Gordon " by David Kilpatrick David Kilpatrick has been writing and playing songs for around 30 years in folk clubs and pubs. David runs the weekly club in Kelso, Scotland, and visits Edinburgh and regional clubs when time and $5 a gallon petrol permit. 7. " Botany Bay " by King Laoghaire KING LAOGHAIRE is a group of six people who share a mutual interest in traditional Irish/Scottish ballads and dance music. Based in Vänersborg, Sweden, the band first started in 1991 as an acoustic experiment in a rock bands (the Ex-Junkies) regular repertoire. In early 1992 the acoustic side of the band had taken over. Buy CD "Courtin' The Ginger Lady" 8. " Back Home in Derry " by Jonathan Ramsey Choirboy looks betrayed by gritty, over-the-top musical play. The music is Irish. The genealogy is Irish. The outcome is a definite party - with lots of happy songs about death, mutilation, lost love, and betrayal. Called upbeat, animated, and often just crazed, Jonathan Ramsey is always in motion onstage. Still, in spite of his highly energetic and playful performances, his musical style remains true to the nature of Irish folk songs. Not one to weep into a beer, he builds up from warm ballads to rebel songs, then on to pint-banging pub songs. Soon, everyone is grabbing an empty glass and joining the percussion. Buy CD "Jonathan Ramsey"f Labels: free_celtic_mp3_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Saturday, July 03, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Bagpipe Music, Free Music Downloads
"Amazing Grace " by The Rogues
The Rogues are the Nations Premiere Pipe and Drum quartet and have earned several Grammy nominations for their incredible albums. Buy CD "Made In Texas" "ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS" by Wicked Tinkers WICKED TINKERS perform the kind of music you might have heard hundreds of years ago at a Scottish wedding, ceilidh, or around the campfire of a Highland raiding party. Since 1995 they've brought their vitality and humor to stages across America. They have been blending the emotion and power of the Great Highland Bagpipe with the pounding of raw tribal rhythms for over seven years and have recently added the haunting sound of the Bronze-Age Celtic Horn - a sound lost for over a millennium. They play the music of the Scottish Highlands, spicing it with the Celtic tunes of Ireland and the many lands graced by the Gaelic people. Touring the U.S. for most of the year, WICKED TINKERS has made friends and fans of folks from all over the world. Buy CD "Banger for Breakfast" "End of the World " by E.J. Jones Fresh & engaging Celtic music, beautifully played by some of the top musicians on the scene... Here are three musicians who encompass a great variety of music in the Celtic genre: a competition piper (Highland pipes, border pipes, bombarde, flutes, whistles), a top-notch fiddle player (in the Irish and Cape Breton traditions), and a virtuoso guitar player (6 string, 12 string, slide, ukulele, mandola) who has also written some of the best-loved songs in the contemporary Irish scene. Great music, engaging personalities, and an entirely fun show. Buy CD "The Willow" Labels: articles_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, July 02, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! Past Celtic Music Archives
I'm making some updates to the Archives. In the meantime, you can the Celtic Music Magazine archives here.
Labels: music_news_2004
Posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, July 02, 2004. New to Celtic MP3s Music Magazine? Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or sign up to get email updates. Find free Celtic music downloads from Marc Gunn! |
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